Chapter 9: The Agoura Marbles

 

*Loud trumpets echoed in the castle, instantly waking up the entire party.*

 

Karol: "Wah-?!" *He suddenly rolled off the bed, hitting his head on the ground.* "Owch."

 

Rachael: *She leant up, looking at her hands in confusion.* (I couldn't get any sleep...)

 

Nathan: "What's that noise?" *He mumbled in a deep voice, placing a hand on his head.*

 

Luna: *She looked at Nathan.* "Why are the guys in here too?"

 

Lezard: "No more rooms-" *He raised his leg and stretched.* "And there's enough spare beds in here, little one-"

 

Twortz: "The trumpets are loud-" *She focused, causing the sounds to mute.* (They stopped-)

 

Luna: "It's effin' loud." *She placed her hands on her ears, alerting Twortz.*

 

Destiny: "Yeup?" *She meowed in disorientation.*

 

Twortz: *She looked around, listening to complete silence.* (I can also control the sounds I hear?)

 

Nathan: "Your senses have been heightened due to the Soul Link."

 

Luna: "Gah, fucks sake, Destiny."

 

Destiny: "Yeup!"

 

Trevour: *He staggered across the room and stood at the door, facing inside the room.* "Let's go. Apparently, they don't wait around for the contestants."

 

Rachael: "In that case-" *She jumped out of the bed in an athletic-like manner and adjusted red gloves on her hands.*

 

Lezard: *He slowly hobbled out of bed and watched the party all stand up, noticing their garments.* "Ooo, Loonz, Twortzamottus and Razzypoo's new clothing looks simply delicious-"

 

Twortz: "I thought I discussed with you what my name is?" *She placed her hands behind her back and walked down the hallway.*

 

Luna: "Settle down, Twotters, aye."

 

Lezard: "Ooo, a domestic plot twist-"

 

Twortz: "Am I the only normal person here?"

 

Karol: *His feet made squishy sounds, catching Lezard's attention.* "Why is she cwanky?"

 

Luna: "I have an idea, but there's no need to tell ya until you're older, aha."

 

Rachael: "Luna-"

 

Nathan: *He adjusted the sword behind his back and placed his hands on his head.* (I wonder if anyone else has noticed, that we'll all be competing against each other?)

 

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Lezard: *He hobbled through the castle doors and stepped on the grass, noticing an excited parade down the road-like path.* "Wowza-"

 

*The party shuffled behind Lezard, instantly focusing their attention to a large floating chair.*

 

?????: "Welcome to this year's Agoura Marbles!"

 

Lezard: "A powerful, yet slightly Asian voice echoed loudly across the city, followed by the inevitable cheers of-"

 

*The parade of people loudly cheered to the man's voice.*

 

Luna: *She squinted her eyes.* "Destiny?"

 

Destiny: "Yeup!" *The purple ring around her iris started to spiral.*

 

Luna: *She looked at the floating royal-like chair with heightened vision, noticing it stood on a green glyph.* "Who is he?"

 

Rachael: "You can see that far?"

 

Luna: "Yea."

 

Rachael: "Wicked." *She spoke with a smile and squinted her eyes, trying to get a better look at the man.*

 

Lezard: "Judging by the voice, that's Grey."

 

Trevour: "The ruler.." *He mumbled under his breath.*

 

Grey: "Those who are new to the games, just follow the experienced!" *The glyph under his chair started to spiral and float up to the next level of the city, causing the parade of people to move.*

 

Nathan: *He walked away from the castle and followed the parade.* (There's a lot of people here.)

 

Rachael: *She walked with the party, watching the people walk up the stairs.* (I don't know what to expect with this game.)

 

Nathan: "Everyone got their cards?"

 

Rachael: "Sure do." *She held the card, staring at the number forty-three on it.*

 

Lezard: "This is going to be a delicious race."

 

Twortz: "What makes you say that?"

 

Lezard: "Unlike Battling Oxident, the more participants in this race, the funner!"

 

Twortz: "Funner isn't a word-"

 

Rachael: "Don't be such a drag, Twortz." *She spoke in a mature-like manner and followed the parade up the stairs to the left.*

 

Karol: "What about me? Will I partissipate tooh?"

 

Luna: "It's dangerous, aye-"

 

Karol: "Stahp under-.. Under-est-i-mayting me!"

 

Nathan: "She says that because she's worried about you. Stop trying to act like something you're not!"

 

Karol: "..."

 

Nathan: "Hmph." *He walked slightly faster, purposely leaving the party.*

 

Trevour: "He's right, little one."

 

Karol: *He triggered flashbacks of running away from Kath and Ridley.* (If I was a man..) "If I was a man, that wouldn't have happened!"

 

Trevour: "What are you talking about, little meister?"

 

Karol: "It.. Doesn't mayter.."

 

Rachael: "Karol?"

 

Karol: "Humpf." *He folded his arms like a child.*

 

Rachael: (Even though we've been rather casual about exploring the city, I don't think any of us has had an opportunity to sit down and talk about ourselves.)

 

Twortz: (Don't be a drag?) *She slowly waddled behind the party, glaring at the party's back.* (How unprofessional.. That fake Rachael telling me what to do..)

 

*Twortz gritted her teeth and frowned in rage, causing a slight gust of wind to blow around her.*

 

Twortz: (The Rachael I know is dead.. If I see it with my eyes, there's no changing my mind... I think I've done enough travelling with you lot.. I'll get my answers once we view this city's database and-)

 

Luna: "C'mon, Twotters!"

 

Twortz: (Twotters?!) *She screamed in thought.*

 

----------

 

*Grey sat in his chair on the floating green glyph, watching the people step into The Hall of Oats.*

 

Grey: "Those without the glyphic markers will enter this hallway." *He spoke with an echoing voice, implying people will be entering soon.*

 

*Grey looked to his side, watching imperial soldiers clean the last remains of blood smears.*

 

Ordin: *He supervised the cleaning and looked up to Grey, touching his throat.* "I'm unable to locate this culprit. I recommend heightening security."

 

Grey: *He listened to Ordin's voice which echoed in his ear.* (I see-) *He placed his hand on his throat.* "I agree."

 

Ordin: *He heard different toned footsteps, causing him to turn around.* "Welcome, spectators!"

 

Grey: "Ordin, the person in charge of my affairs, protector of the city!-"

 

*The crowd started to cheer in Grey's and Ordin's presence.*

 

Man: "I can't believe the ruler, he's amazing!"

 

Woman: "I know! I close my store down for the day to come to The Agoura Marbles just to see them."

 

Grey: "Ordin will be the referee, and I will be the announcer, just like always-"

 

*Grey swayed his hand, causing enormous screens of different images of landscapes to appear all over the oat-like walls.*

 

Lezard: *He hobbled into the hallway with Karol, instantly noticing the screens.* "Majestic."

 

Karol: "W-What are they?"

 

Lezard: "Due to the Astragon filled walls, this place allows streaming footage of the races."

 

Karol: "Why is there so mhany scweens?"

 

Lezard: "Due to all the Reality Marbles."

 

Karol: "There's snow.. Fire.. Night.. Day.. Indoars, outdoars?" *He spoke in disbelief, as if he couldn't comprehend the thought.*

 

Man: *He stared at one of the screens and waved papers in the air, cheering on a person who warped into an open field.* "I got a lot of money betting on you!"

 

Karol: "People are starting to warp into the images? Where is Waichael?"

 

Lezard: "I remember their numbers-" *He hobbled up to a large pedestal with a large floating, spinning sphere with hundreds of different coloured numbers around it.*

 

Karol: "What is that?"

 

Lezard: "This is merely a tracker. Their colours tell us what Reality Marble they're in."

 

Karol: *He spun around, noticing faint coloured borders around each image.* "I fink I get it."

 

Lezard: "Her number is brown, so is Nathan's!-" *He hobbled around and instantly stared at the image with the brown border.*

 

Karol: "It's dark in there."

 

Lezard: "Looks like they're inside somewhere-"

 

*Rachael and Nathan found themselves in a long underground tunnel, lit up by the sunlight which shone through deep cracks in the walls.*

 

Rachael: "What do we do?" *She spoke to Nathan while adjusting the gloves around her hands.* "And where are the others?"

 

Nathan: "They're probably in different Reality Marbles-"

 

Rachael: "Karh-" *She suddenly coughed and leant forward with buckling knees.* (Crap-)

 

Nathan: "You alright?" *He spoke in a deep voice.*

 

Rachael: "Yeah." *She shook her head, noticing other people warp into the area behind her.*

 

Nathan: (There're about twenty people here-)

 

Grey: "The objective is to run forward, or, move forward. There are no secret paths, if you move out of the path, it's your own provocative to find the next Reality Marble."

 

Rachael: "His voice echoes in the air?"

 

----------

 

*Luna and Twortz found themselves in a large mansion with no active lights.*

 

Twortz: (I just heard Grey's voice-)

 

Luna: "It's night?"

 

Twortz: "I can hardly see a thing?" *She stepped forward, causing the floors to creak.* "It's very old too."

 

Woman: "I-I'm scared!"

 

Twortz: (It is a little frightening if you've got an overly active imagination.)

 

Luna: (Scared-?) *She turned around, noticing another twelve other people behind her.* "Pssht, this is nothin'."

 

Grey: "We've marked the Reality Marbles with a glowing door frame."

 

Luna: "Pssht, how easy. There's a door right here?" *She strutted towards the door and opened it, staring at an empty eerie room.*

 

Twortz: "If you actually listened, he said glowing door frame."

 

Luna: "If you actually listened." *She mimicked Twortz in a negative manner.*

 

Twortz: "Hermph." *She looked away, as if she couldn't be bothered with Luna's attitude.*

 

----------

 

*Trevour appeared in an enormous forest with trees as thick as cars, which towered into a bright orange sky.*

 

Trevour: "Hmm. I feel a little bit of turbulence waiting to happen." *He mumbled to himself and noticed people behind him.* "I think we should help each other out until we reach the last Reality Marble-"

 

Woman: *She looked at Trevour, snarling at his appearance.* "As if! Every person for themselves!"

 

Trevour: "But working as a team-"

 

Woman: "Who cares! There's only one winner!"

 

Trevour: "Negative, madam-"

 

Woman: "So there's more than one winner?"

 

Trevour: "N-No-"

 

Woman: "I already know the rules! Bye!" *She snickered and started to run through the forest.*

 

Grey: "Now that all contestants are in the marble, time to explain the rules!"

 

*Grey listened to his voice echo twenty times, as it channelled through each Reality Marble.*

 

Grey: "Contestants must endure or complete five Reality Marbles."

 

Twortz: (Five?) *She looked up to the old mansion roof, staring at flickering chandeliers.* (Depends how big these Reality Marbles are.)

 

Grey: "It's possible to get the same one twice. Doors with glowing frames symbolises the next jump, as I already mentioned before."

 

Rachael: *She formed a fist, looking at Nathan.* (We could get this area twice?)

 

Nathan: "Doors with glowing frames? Seems easy enough."

 

Grey: "The most important rule of all! You must keep moving. If you stop for three seconds, you will fail."

 

Trevour: (I can see why that impatient madam was eager to go so early.)

 

Grey: "It's possible to die in the games, all you have to do is rip up your number. If you don't, it's not Silver Wind Island's problem."

 

Luna: "Wat's gonna kill us? Attack of them hangin' lights?"

 

Twortz: "You mean chandeliers?"

 

Luna: "Wateva. They're lights, aye."

 

Grey: "The first person to step through the last door in the final stadium wins. If two people step on the stadium, they will go into a sudden death."

 

Rachael: (Sudden death?)

 

Grey: "Contestants, ready?!"

 

Ordin: *He monitored the busy Hall of Oats, watching people cluster around each image.* (We have a murderer on the loose and this happens to be a very busy Agoura Marbles? What luck! Blast the Astragons!)

 

Grey: "Once the siren goes off, the race has officially begun. Be warned, each Reality Marble will increase in difficulty."

 

Luna: "I'm ready, you ready?" *She looked at her shoulder, staring at Destiny.*

 

Destiny: "Yeup." *Her eyes glared like a cat's eye, allowing her and Luna to see with a brighter vision.*

 

Luna: (My black and white vision got a little brighter, kool.)

 

----------

 

Lezard: "Beep... Beep.. Booop." *He mimicked the buzzer and noticed an increased movement of the spectators, as each contestant started to run.*

 

Karol: "W-What happening?" *He looked up, pulling on Lezard's clothes.*

 

Lezard: "It's started-"

 

----------

 

Nathan: *He noticed every player's number materialise itself on their chest.* (My number? It's on my chest too.)

 

Rachael: *She watched all the players run down the underground tunnel.* "Where-?"

 

*Rachael's number started to beep, catching Nathan's attention.*

 

Nathan: "Remember the most important rule!" *He shouted and grabbed Rachael's hand before running down the tunnel.*

 

Rachael: "How can it?" *She looked down, noticing it no longer beeped.*

 

Nathan: "I'm not very smart with Astragons and Neurons, but I think the glyph detects the Neuron movement in the body."

 

*Several screams echoed further ahead of Rachael and Nathan.*

 

Rachael: "Sounds like they were in pain-" *She suddenly looked down, gasping in confusion.* "Do you feel that?"

 

Nathan: "Feel what?"

 

Rachael: "It feels like something rolling?"

 

Nathan: "Maybe that's your elemental affinity's ability?"

 

Rachael: "I use ground.. Able to feel the movement-" *She spoke to herself before nodding her head in agreement.* "I think you're right, Nathan-"

 

Nathan: *He quickly pushed Rachael forward and jumped back, causing his number to start beeping.* "Hmph-" *He watched a small cannon-like boulder shoot from the tunnel's opening, smashing into the other side.*

 

*Nathan looked up and intensely stared at the crack in the tunnel, watching something move in the sunlight.*

 

Rachael: *She continued to jog forward, watching the wall crumble.* "What was that?"

 

Nathan: "I feel we're not by ourselves-" *He noticed a woman on the ground with three stone spikes sticking out of her neck.*

 

Rachael: "Is she-?"

 

Nathan: "She mustn't have had enough time to rip up her number."

 

Rachael: "Are they traps?"

 

Nathan: "I don't think so-"

 

Rachael: "Rock Pillar." *She punched to the side, causing a small rock to blast up on the side of Nathan's face.*

 

Nathan: "What are you-?" *He watched the small rock suddenly explode, as it blocked a rock spike's projectile.*

 

Rachael: "It may be last minute, but I can feel when there's Earth moving in the air."

 

Nathan: "Earth?"

 

Rachael: "Ground, rock."

 

Nathan: *He listened to bat-like squeaks, instantly causing him to run slightly faster.* "I wasn't sure at first, but-"

 

*Rachael and Nathan suddenly slipped on smooth rock, causing them to slide down on their backs.*

 

Rachael: "What is it?"

 

Nathan: "These are near blind Scoldrants. They live deep in secluded caves or ravines."

 

Rachael: *She noticed a brown beaver-like Scoldrant crawling along the ceiling with its back facing her.* "Is that it-?"

 

Nathan: *He noticed rock spikes shoot out of its back, causing him to gasp.* "It's going to attack-"

 

Rachael: "Rock Pillar-" *She waved to the side and nothing happened, causing her to gasp in shock.* "Why-?"

 

Nathan: "The ground, it's too hard-" *He reached over his shoulder and grabbed the sword, trying to pull it forward.* (I'm sliding on my back, I can't-)

 

Rachael: "Here-" *She kicked Nathan, causing them to slide on each wall, watching the rock spikes jab in between them.*

 

Nathan: *He watched the rock spikes crack the hard smooth ground in shock.* "Thanks!"

 

Rachael: "Hehe, it's not over yet-"

 

*Rachael and Nathan slid out of the tunnel and fell through a large space, suddenly diving into pitch black water.*

 

Nathan: *He slowly sunk, watching white clear bubbles float up.* (There's an underground lake?)

 

Rachael: *She held her breath and started to swim up to the surface, taking a deep breath.* "Nathan?" *She coughed and wiped her mouth, glancing to each side.*

 

Nathan: "Psssh-t-" *He took a deep breath and shook his head, causing water to flick out of his hair like a dog.* "I wasn't expecting that-"

 

*Several floating bodies drifted past Nathan, causing him to respectfully push them away.*

 

Rachael: "Neither did they.." *She swayed her arms and kicked her legs, keeping afloat.*

 

Nathan: *He looked to his side and noticed another cave, causing him to swim towards it.* "I was worried."

 

Rachael: *She swam by Nathan's side.* "Why?"

 

Nathan: *He smiled, watching Rachael swim ahead of him.* "I thought I was going to have to help you."

 

Rachael: *She reached towards the rock and tried to pull herself up, causing her hand to slip off.* "Slippery-"

 

Nathan: *He reached up and rested his arm on the rock, trying to pull himself out of the water.* "The water, it's making the rock slippery-"

 

Rachael: *She suddenly dug her nails and fingers into the ground, allowing her to pull herself up with ease.* "There-"

 

Nathan: "Is it soft?" *He slapped the rock with an eagle-like grip, causing his fingers to crack.* "Ouch-"

 

Rachael: "Hello, ground user here, hehe." *She smiled and bent down, pulling Nathan up.*

 

Nathan: "Gee, thank you again." *He spoke with an appreciative frown, as if he was slightly embarrassed.*

 

Rachael: "Don't be embarrassed because I'm a girl."

 

Nathan: *He shook his head and reached over his shoulder, unsheathing his sword.* "That's not it. I couldn't care less what gender you are."

 

Rachael: *She smiled.* "I like that."

 

Nathan: "It's more of the fact I feel like a hindrance."

 

Rachael: "Say what? No way! I would've been out right at the start with that rock spike." *She had a flashback of Nathan pushing her out of the way.*

 

Nathan: *He grunted in respect.* "Let's keep going." *He nudged his head towards the cave, causing Rachael to jog towards it.*

 

Rachael: *She entered the cave and listened to her echoing footsteps, watching the area turn pitch black.* "Man, it's dark in here."

 

Nathan: *He slowed down.* "How is it?"

 

Rachael: "It's safe."

 

Nathan: *He ran towards the sounds of Rachael's footsteps and slashed his sword, causing a line of sparks to momentarily light up his surroundings.* "How much farther?"

 

Rachael: *She watched Nathan continuously slash sparks against the wall.* (Nice idea-) "We're almost out of here-"

 

*Nathan and Rachael ran out of the cave and found themselves in a large underground opening, noticing a glowing door frame standing in the middle of the clearing.*

 

Rachael: "There it is-" *She spoke with excitement and stepped forward, suddenly pausing.*

 

Nathan: "What is it?"

 

Rachael: "We're not alone-"

 

*Pirate-like bandits dressed in blue and black suddenly ran out from the shadows, pointing old fashioned guns at Rachael and Nathan.*

 

Nathan: *He noticed the guns, causing him to raise his sword.* "Let us pass."

 

Grunt A: "No, argh." *He grunted like a pirate and aimed for Nathan's head.*

 

Rachael: "Who are you?"

 

Grunt A: "We're The Seaside Bandits."

 

Nathan: "What do you want from us?"

 

Grunt B: "It's easy. Give us your valuables and we'll let you pass through to the next Reality Marble."

 

Grunt A: "The boss will be pleased, argh."

 

Rachael: *Her number started to beep.* "Oh no-"

 

Grunt B: "Move slightly forward from activating your numbers!"

 

Rachael: *She shuffled her feet and frowned in disgust.* "What a cheap way to get valuables!"

 

Nathan: "Isn't this against the rules?!"

 

Grunt C: "Rules, shmules." *He waved the gun to each side in a casual-like manner.*

 

Rachael: "Nathan." *She whispered.*

 

Nathan: "Yeah?" *He spoke on his breath and leant closer to Rachael, as he kept his sword pointed at the closest bandit.*

 

Rachael: "We'll make a run for it."

 

Nathan: "My sword skills have allowed me to block high-speed projectiles, but not if I'm surrounded."

 

Rachael: (Ash.. What should I do?) *She glanced at each bandit, triggering a flashback.*

 

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*Rachael and Ashton ran through a beautiful park and slowed down, sitting on a white expensive appearing bench.*

 

Rachael: "Phew."

 

Ashton: "Good grief." *He panted in exhaustion and fell into the chair.*

 

Rachael: "Hehe, tired much?"

 

Ashton: "I blame Fast Food Enterprise!"

 

Rachael: "Nah, blame yourself." *She spoke with a smile.*

 

Ashton: "Ha ha, I'm unacceptable, right?"

 

Rachael: "Right!"

 

Ashton: *He wiped sweat and looked to his side at Rachael.* "Thank you for taking me with you."

 

Rachael: *She shook her head with a widening smile.* "It's fine.. How were you able to keep up?"

 

Ashton: "Ha ha.." *He looked down and rested his hands on his knees, as he was trying to catch his breath.* "I usually ignore my surroundings and focus purely on the goal, and that goal was this bench."

 

Rachael: "Ignoring your surroundings? That's completely the opposite of what I'm taught at Hapkido."

 

Ashton: "But I'm more of the defensive type of guy, while you're-"

 

Rachael: "The type who shouldn't like pushover guys?" *She pushed Ashton, causing them both to chuckle.*

 

Ashton: "If I know my surroundings or protect myself from them, all I have to worry about, is the goal."

 

Rachael: "Well, if any guy gives you a problem, just let me know."

 

Ashton: *He smiled and shook his head.* "Violence is unacceptable."

 

Rachael: "Not this again, Ash."

 

Ashton: "Right-" *He stood up and kissed Rachael.* "I have to pick Lance up soon, I better be off."

 

Rachael: "Alrighty. See you tonight?"

 

Ashton: "Sure." *He smiled and turned around, jogging away with a slight limp.*

 

Rachael: "Hehe."

 

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Nathan: *He noticed his number start to beep, causing the bandits to chuckle.* (Dang it!-)

 

Rachael: (Ignore the surroundings-) *She frowned and started to concentrate, causing her body to glow a shade of blue.*

 

Grunt C: "She's using an Azure Burst, what should we do, argh?"

 

Grunt A: "Our boss was able to steal some of the contestant's statistics. There's not many to be worried about. That's why we decided to do this in the first place."

 

Grunt B: "Now, just give us your belongings!" *He clicked a lever on the gun.* "The others had no problem doing so, argh!"

 

Nathan: *He slightly lowered the sword in realisation.* "I hate to say, but I think we have no choice."

 

Rachael: *She suddenly leant up with widening eyes and dropped to her knees, violently punching the ground with both hands.* "Rock Pillar."

 

Nathan: "Huh?"

Grunts A, B, C: "Argh?"

 

*Two sheets of rock erupted on either side of Rachael and Nathan, forming a triangle-like tunnel towards the door.*

 

Nathan: "How-?"

 

Rachael: *She grunted and stood up, quickly jogging towards the door.* "Nathan!"

 

Nathan: *He ran after Rachael, blindly staring at the glowing door frames, as that's the only thing he could see inside the triangle made tunnel.* (Almost-)

 

Grunt A: *He started to fire off thick golden bullets at the rock, watching it spiral off.* "How?"

 

Grunt B: "It's the smoothness and angle-" *He bent his knees and shot a golden bullet at the rock, watching it ricochet off.*

 

Grunt C: "It didn't work, argh!"

 

Nathan: *He watched Rachael run up to the door, ignoring the sounds of guns go off.* "How did you-?"

 

Rachael: "The door, do we walk through it?! Unlock it with a key?! How do we-?!" *She touched the door and instantly faded, leaving a warped ripple in the air.*

 

Nathan: *He smiled in accomplishment.* "Yes!" *He touched the door, causing his body to instantly fade into a ripple in the air.*

 

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*Luna and Twortz slowly staggered through the eerie mansion, listening to the wind blowing outside, causing it to randomly creak from every direction.*

 

Twortz: (This is slightly frightening-) *She looked at Luna, noticing no signs of fear in her face.*

 

Luna: *A woman screamed in agony outside the mansion, causing Twortz to twitch in fear.* (That's the seventh scream..)

 

Twortz: (It's obvious, whatever is outside, is dangerous..)

 

Luna: "Where exactly are we?"

 

Twortz: "If it hasn't clicked inside that empty skull of yours, I'm from Earth too.. How would I know?"

 

Luna: *Lightning flashed outside, causing light to fill the poorly lit room.* "We're in a dinin' room."

 

Twortz: *She started to shiver while keeping a professional composure.* (This is frightening-)

 

*Lightning flashed in the room, revealing three wolf-like figures standing against the walls behind Twortz and Luna.*

 

Destiny: "Y-Yeup?"

 

Luna: "It's OK, there's nothin' to worry about." *She smirked and shuffled into the next room.*

 

Man: "H-Help?" *He suddenly lunged at Twortz from the shadows, covered in blood.*

 

Twortz: "Hahackee!" *She screamed out a sonic shock wave, blasting the man back into the wall, causing wood to crack.*

 

Man: "W-We're not alone..." *He quickly ripped his number, causing him to vanish upwards.*

 

Luna: "Nice."

 

Twortz: "Nice?! Is this some sort of game to you?!"

 

Luna: "Yea? That's wat this is, aye?"

 

Twortz: "Tsst." *She rolled her eyes and waddled towards the next room, observing a table full of cutlery.* "The food is still warm."

 

Luna: "Looks like they left in a hurry." *She spoke with anticipation, filling Twortz with more fear.*

 

*The lightning flashed, revealing a wolf-like creature standing in the doorway the party just walked through a moment ago.*

 

Twortz: "It feels like we're being watched.." *She looked behind her, staring at darkness.*

 

Luna: "Aha, stop bein' paranoid, aye-" *She looked over her shoulder with her sketch-like vision, seeing an empty room.* "Nothin'."

 

Twortz: "How can I rely on your vision?! You apparently can't even see colours!"

 

Luna: "Wateva-"

 

?????: "Shngrrrr."

 

*A canine growled, causing Twortz to shuffle closer to Luna.*

 

Twortz: *She stared at a closed brown door in front of her.* "I-It sounded like it came from the next room!"

 

Luna: *She reached over her shoulder, grabbing her bow and several arrows.* "Time to test these bad boys out."

 

Twortz: *She reached for the closed door and twisted its silver knob, revealing it was locked.* "It won't open."

 

Luna: "I can see that.." *She shuffled forward and attempted to kick the door, causing her and Destiny to grunt in pain.*

 

Destiny: "Yeu-Yeu!" *She hissed in pain, as if her leg was hurt too.*

 

Luna: "My bad, aye-"

 

Twortz: (Stupid-) *She waved her hand, blowing a scattered shock wave into the door, blasting it off its hinges.* "Sonic Rush."

 

Luna: "Whoa!"

 

?????: "Gnarl!" *A wolf-like Scoldrant ran on its hind legs directly towards Luna and Twortz, extending its arms out.*

 

Luna: *She flicked the string to her bow, firing off an arrow.* "Oh, yea." *She smirked, watching the arrow jab directly into the Scoldrant's forehead, before exploding its head in a boulder of ice.*

 

Twortz: *She watched the Scoldrant collapse and slide along the ground to her feet.* "..."

 

Luna: "Aha." *She cockily sniffed her finger and walked over the Scoldrant, glancing to each side.*

 

Twortz: "Aren't you scared?"

 

Luna: "Yea."

 

Twortz: "You d-don't act like it-" *A wolf howled in the distance, followed by a man's scream.*

 

Luna: *She placed another arrow on the bow and cautiously walked into the next room.* "We're lookin' for a glowin' door, yea?"

 

Twortz: "A glowing door frame."

 

Luna: *She stepped into another room and noticed brown leaves blow inside from an opened door.* "Well-" *She looked up, noticing two sets of stairs going up to the next storey.*

 

Twortz: "Tsst-" *She rudely waddled past Luna and slammed the door shut, locking it in relief.*

 

Luna: "Yea, lockin' the door will surely keep them dogs out, aye."

 

Twortz: "Well.." *She suddenly frowned in anger to mask her fear.* "Don't talk to me in a condescending manner!"

 

Luna: "Wateva hey." *She sighed and started to walk up the stairs, listening to it creak with every footstep.* "Shut up will ya?" *She grunted at the stairs.*

 

Twortz: "We have to go through another four after this."

 

Luna: "So?" *She grunted with a lack of concentration, as she kept focus on her surroundings.*

 

Twortz: *She waddled up the other set of stairs, cautiously looking around in a paranoid-like manner.* "I sincerely hope the others aren't like this."

 

Luna: "Yea, well-" *Wolf-like arms suddenly smashed out of the wall next to Luna and grabbed onto her.* "Shit!-"

 

Twortz: "Lighten!" *She took a deep breath and stopped in realisation.* (I can't Sonic Roar like this! I might blow her arm off!-)

 

Luna: "Gah-?!" *The arms suddenly pulled Luna into the wall, causing Twortz to quickly run up the stairs.*

 

*Lezard and Karol watched from the screen, ignoring the excited and angry spectators around them.*

 

Karol: "Holy Neurons, Lezard!"

 

Lezard: "I know, little one! Can't believe nobody has tried to turn on the lights!"

 

Karol: "N-No, Loona!"

 

Lezard: "Oh, and that too!"

 

Karol: "Peeple have died."

 

Lezard: "From the brief experience with Loonz, I'm sure she can handle her own."

 

Karol: *He silently nodded his head and focused back to the screen, watching Twortz waddle loudly down a hallway.*

 

Twortz: "Hick-Hick-" *She breathed with an unhealthy wheeze, glancing at a table and a set of armour which rested against the wall.*

 

*Twortz started to waddle faster, ignoring the sounds of wolves attacking a woman.*

 

Twortz: (I didn't get to where I am by looking out for others!-) "Sonic Rush." *She swayed her hand to the side, blasting a hidden wolf into the wall.*

 

*Twortz looked at a large wooden door at the end of the hallway, causing her to take a deep breath.*

 

Twortz: "Sonic Roar."

 

*Twortz continued to quickly waddle down the hallway and screamed out a shock wave, exploding the large wooden door out of its hinges.*

 

Twortz: *She watched wood splinter around the hinges allowing her to push through the door with ease.* "Hckee?"

 

*Twortz leant over a metallic rail and looked down, noticing a white door with a glowing frame.*

 

Twortz: "Hahahackee!" *She laughed in relief.* (Down below! There it is!-)

 

*Twortz looked to the side and noticed massive spiral stairs leading down to the level below.*

 

Twortz: *She started to waddle down the spiral stairs, ignoring the eerier environment around her.* (Almost there, Twortz. Almost there-)

 

*Three wolf-like Scoldrants barged through the door Twortz opened and growled to each side, as if they were hunting.*

 

Twortz: *She watched the wooden door spiral past her, crashing into the floor.* "Excuse me?"

 

*Twortz looked up, watching the Scoldrants violently rampage down the spiral stairs.*

 

Twortz: *She stopped and formed a triangle with her fingers, queuing her number to start beeping.* "How annoying-"

 

*Twortz continued to quickly waddle down the stairs, ignoring the scary growls and barks of the Scoldrants behind her.*

 

Twortz: "Now-" *She hopped off the stairs and waddled towards the door.* (With my speed, I won't be able to outrun these animals-)

 

Scoldrant: "Gnarl!" *It suddenly jumped off the spiral stairs and dived onto its front legs, allowing it to sprint towards Twortz on all fours.*

 

Twortz: "Sacred scores-" *She spun around and formed a triangle with her fingers.* "Sonic Pulsar."

 

*Twortz breathed into the spaces in between her fingers, blasting a vortex of sound at the wolf-like Scoldrant.*

 

Scoldrant: "Grnarl!-" *It yelped and violently spiralled on its side, cracking its arm out of place as it violently landed at an awkward angle.*

 

Twortz: *She slowly waddled on a side to keep an eye on her surroundings, making her way to the door with glowing frames.* "Sonic Rush." *She swayed her arm, blowing a scattered shock wave in front of her trying to intimidate the Scoldrants.*

 

Scoldrant: *It sniffed the air around Twortz, causing it to snarl in excitement.* "Grrrrnarl."

 

Twortz: (I didn't want to use it now-) *She reached over her shoulder, grabbing hold onto something.*

 

*Another two Scoldrants appeared behind Twortz and stood on their hind legs, towering over Twortz.*

 

Twortz: "Begone, feral dogs-" *Several growls behind her caught her attention.*

 

Scoldrant: *It reached out and violently dug its nails into Twortz's shoulder, causing her to yelp in pain.* "Growlgrrrh!"

 

Twortz: *She attempted to sway her hand over her shoulder, trying to release her violin.* (I can't move my arm back with its claws-)

 

*Twortz attempted to sway her free arm, causing her body to glow a shade of blue.*

 

Twortz: "Sonic Rush-" *She swayed her arm and nothing happened.* "What?!"

 

Lezard: *He watched Twortz from the screen with a serious face.* "She's only been practising using the Neurons in her right arm, she merely needs to train in both."

 

Karol: "Th-That doesn't make sence."

 

Lezard: "If you only practice writing with your right hand, it's hard to write with your left, isn't it?"

 

Karol: "Yh-Yheah.." *He looked down.* "That does make sence."

 

Twortz: *She watched another three Scoldrants lurk towards her from the shadows.* (I-I'm surrounded?!)

 

*Twortz hesitantly reached towards her number, as if she was ready to rip it off.*

 

Twortz: (Tsst-)

 

*Six arrows suddenly shot through the air and jabbed into each Scoldrants, suddenly exploding into boulders of ice.*

 

Luna: *She stood at the bottom of the spiral stairs and kept her shooting pose, taking deep breaths.* "Gah..." *She sniffed and lowered the bow, ignoring three slash marks on the side of her neck.*

 

Twortz: "L-Lighten?" *She squirmed as the Scoldrant collapsed to the floor, ripping its claws out of her shoulder.*

 

Luna: "You fuckin' bitch!"

 

Twortz: (I wasn't expecting her to-)

 

Luna: *She stormed up to Twortz and violently slapped her across the face.* "Thanks for savin' me, aye."

 

Twortz: "I-..."

 

Luna: "Save it, bitch." *She walked over the Scoldrant behind Twortz and touched the door with glowing frames, causing her body to ripple in the air.*

 

Twortz: *She slowly turned around and placed her hand on her shoulder, causing blood to run down her arm.* (Despite the blood, no vital veins were punctured-)

 

Karol: *He watched Twortz waddle up to the door and disappear in a ripple to the door's touch.* "Loona is alive!" *He sounded relieved.*

 

Lezard: "I don't know where we would be without that feisty little one either." *He implied he was relieved that Luna was okay.*

 

Karol: "Nee hee."

 

----------

 

*Trevour hobbled through the forest in an awkward-like jog manner, causing his armour to rattle.*

 

Trevour: *He noticed large spider webs in between the enormous trees.* "Just keep a sturdy mind frame. I can get there in the end-"

 

?????: "Hearkct!" *A human-sized spider with long thin black legs, crawled along a path of webs in the treetops.*

 

Trevour: *He looked up and spun around so get could get a better look at the Scoldrant.* "Oh dear, how temperamental!-"

 

Scoldrant: "Hearkct-" *It shot out a white web-like ball at Trevour.*

 

Trevour: "DUST STORM" *He swayed his hands, causing a tornado-like eruption of sand to swirl in front of him.*

 

*The web ball melted into the sand causing it to sizzle, as if it acted as acid.*

 

Trevour: (Is the sand burning? Maybe it knows fire?) *He quickly turned around and hobbled down the path.*

 

*A swarm of spider-like Scoldrants fell off the canopy and landed on the ground, causing it to slightly rumble.*

 

Trevour: (I can feel the vibrations-. I don't need to look back-) *He thought to himself in determination and quickly hobbled to the side, watching web-like balls shoot past him.*

 

Scoldrants: "Hearkct." *Several hiss-like screeches echoed in the distance.*

 

Trevour: "The aurora lights bend and swirl the gravel into liquid, turn to dust and sand, watch it vacuum your sins-" *He clapped his hands and held them, focusing on the ground.*

 

Scoldrant: *It swung upside on a thick web, extending its legs towards Trevour's back.* "Hearkct."

 

Trevour: "SWIRLING SANDPIT" *He quickly punched the ground and awkwardly ran forward without losing speed.*

 

Scoldrant: *It drooled a green liquid, as if it was excited to bite into Trevour.* "Hearkctt-"

 

Trevour: "DUST STORM" *He spoke with obvious fear and punched down then upwards, causing a swirling vortex of sand to hit the swinging Scoldrant off its web.*

 

*The other Scoldrants stepped into the softening ground and stopped, struggling to raise their legs out of the quicksand.*

 

Trevour: *He noticed a door with glowing frames further ahead, causing him to smile with hope.* "Almost-"

 

Woman: "Help!" *She screamed at Trevour who ran past her.*

 

Trevour: *He looked to his side, noticing the woman entangled in a human-sized web.* "Miss?"

 

Woman: "Please help!"

 

Trevour: *He looked behind him, noticing the swarm of following spiders.* (I won't be able to-)

 

*Trevour continued to run ahead, focusing his attention to the door with glowing frames.*

 

Trevour: (Sorry, miss!-)

 

Woman: "Please.. P-P-Pl-ease!"

 

Trevour: (How temperamental-) *He closed his eyes, triggering a flashback.*

 

----------

 

*A younger version of Trevour slowly sunk in quicksand.*

 

Trevour: "Help, please, brothers!"

 

*A slightly older version of Trevour folded his arms, staring at Trevour in disgust.*

 

Trevour: "Please, brother!"

 

?????: "You've been different, your Rostical.. It's pathetic-"

 

Trevour: "Alan?!" *He slapped the sand, causing it to splash like water.*

 

Alan: "Even your own powers have turned against you."

 

Trevour: "I'm your younger brother?!"

 

*Another man in thick brown armour ran into the clearing, instantly noticing Trevour.*

 

Trevour: "Felipe!" *He coughed and gagged, as if he was struggling to keep his head above the sand.*

 

Felipe: "What's happening, Alan? Why is our younger brother in quicksand?"

 

Alan: "Don't look at me. He's the weak one that can manipulate sand."

 

Felipe: "So, he did this to himself?"

 

Alan: "Yeah.. He tried to prove himself by manipulating solid rock."

 

Felipe: "..." *He folded his arms and watched Trevour continue to sink to neck level.*

 

Alan: "You're a disgrace to our family."

 

Trevour: "F-Felipe?"

 

Felipe: "Let's go, Alan."

 

Trevour: "... Brothers?" *He stopped struggling, as he sunk past his neck.*

 

Alan: "We have the strongest ground-based Rostical Using blood through our veins.. Yet, you control sand and dirt? You are no brother of mine."

 

Trevour: *He lifted his head, as the sand started to pour into his mouth.* "B-But, I'll die?"

 

*Alan and Felipe slowly walked back into the forest and out of Trevour's vision.*

 

Trevour: "No-"

 

?????: "Brother-" *A girl walked into the clearing, wearing thick brown armour.*

 

Trevour: "Rosemary?"

 

Rosemary: *She shook her head and kicked the ground, causing an enormous platform to erupt up.* "ROCK PILLAR"

 

Trevour: "Ah?!" *The sand pulsed and started to stream on the edges of the platform.*

 

Rosemary: "Trevour."

 

Trevour: "Much appreciated, sister."

 

Rosemary: "I think it's time you left the clan."

 

Trevour: "B-But?"

 

Rosemary: "Me and your two brothers have almost unlocked the second potential of the ground affinity.. You're still stuck on even manipulating solid ground.."

 

Trevour: *He slowly stood up, causing sand to stream off his body.* "I know-"

 

Rosemary: "I love you, my brother. But, for your own good.."

 

Trevour: *His eyes started to water.* "I-"

 

Rosemary: "I won't be around all the time to help you.. If I wasn't around this time-"

 

Trevour: "I would've died.."

 

Rosemary: *She turned around and the ground cracked in a circular motion around her.* "I say this because I care.. You're too nice, Trevour."

 

*The ground started to float underneath Rosemary, lifting her off the ground.*

 

Trevour: "..."

 

Rosemary: *She started to float high into the treetops, causing leaves to spiral down to the ground.* "You need to find your own happiness before you can hope to achieve ours."

 

Trevour: "Rosemary-"

 

Rosemary: "For now, I hope not to see you."

 

Trevour: *He looked up, watching Rosemary float away on the piece of rock.* (I can't-)

 

----------

 

Trevour: *He frowned with watering eyes and hesitantly turned around, hopping to each side, avoiding three leaping spiders.* "If she wasn't there to save me, I would've died!"

 

*Trevour shouted and ran towards the woman, ignoring parts of his armour which melted away from strings of web.*

 

Trevour: "DUST STORM-" *He went to punch the ground and a string of web wrapped itself around his arm, stopping him in his movements.*

 

Woman: "W-What have I done?" *She whispered on her breath, watching the spiders wrap Trevour in spirals of web from the bottom up.* "R-Run, if you can, run!"

 

Trevour: "How can I protect you if I can't even use solid ground?!"

 

Woman: "Just run!"

 

Trevour: *The woman's screams echoed in his mind, triggering desperation.* "I can't do anything.."

 

Scoldrant: *It slowly crawled on top of Trevour and revealed its long sword-like teeth, readying to bite Trevour.* "Hearkctt!"

 

Woman: (The poison will kill him!-) "Remove your number!-"

 

Trevour: *He unintentionally scrunched his fingers, as if he was about to scratch his way out of the cocoon.* "DIRTCLOUD TALONS"

 

Woman: *She closed her eyes and looked up, quivering in fear.* "May the Astragons bless us-"

 

*Scratch-like strings of sand ripped open the cocoon around Trevour and ripped the Scoldrant's legs off.*

 

Trevour: *He hobbled up to the woman and scratched downwards, slashing the web with strings of sand.* "DIRTCLOUD TALONS"

 

Woman: "H-Huh-?" *She collapsed into Trevour's arms.*

 

Trevour: "What's your name, madam?"

 

Woman: "H-Hayward."

 

Trevour: "DUST STORM" *He spoke in determination and ignored a spiral of sand which erupted around him, cutting the Scoldrant's legs.*

 

Hayward: *She looked down, staring at the twitching spider legs in shock.* "Wow-"

 

Trevour: "The movement on the ground-" *He spoke to himself before focusing his attention to Hayward.* "Can you run?"

 

Hayward: *She looked at Trevour, ignoring the tornado-like swirl of sand around them.* "Yes." *She nodded her head, regaining her composure.*

 

Scoldrant: *It raised its four front legs in an aggressive-like manner and jumped into the swirling sand, causing its legs to cut off.* "Hearcktt!-"

 

Trevour: "Let's go!-" *He swayed his arm, causing an opening in the swirling sand.*

 

Hayward: "Eeek." *She sprinted towards the door with glowing frames.*

 

Trevour: *He hobbled after Hayward and continuously swayed his hands back, throwing streams of sand from his fingernails behind him.* "DIRTCLOUD TALONS"

 

Hayward: *She ran into reaching distance to the door and faced Trevour, causing strings of web to flick off her body, revealing a blue silk moon-like robe.* "Thank you!-"

 

Trevour: "DIRTCLOUD TALONS" *He scrunched his fingers and scratched streams of sand into several spiders from his fingertips, causing their bodies to explode.*

 

Hayward: *She brushed web out of her hair, revealing moon and star hair ornaments.* "Thank you, whoever you are!" *She touched the door and suddenly faded up in a ripple.*

 

Trevour: "It's-" *He started to pant and quickly touched the door, queuing him to fade into a warping ripple.* "Trevour-"

 

Lezard: *He clapped his hands in excitement.* "Wowza.. Our heroes did it.."

 

Karol: "Bearly." *He sounded worried, causing Lezard to chuckle.*

 

Lezard: "Barely? More than sixty percent of the participants failed-"

 

Grey: "Everyone has now passed on to the next Reality Marble!" *He spoke with a proud voice, watching the screens suddenly change scenario, causing several spectators to run across the room.*

 

*Nathan and Rachael found themselves on a large mountain under a full moon.*

 

Nathan: "There's nothing?"

 

?????: "Nothin'?"

 

Rachael: "Hey." *She spoke with a smile and turned around, looking at Luna.* "Luna!"

 

Luna: "'Sup?"

 

Destiny: "Yeup."

 

Nathan: *He observed the area around him.* "Where do we go?"

 

Luna: "Yea, we're on a big hill, I dunno which way to go, aye-"

 

*All their numbers started to beep, causing the party to jog in a small circle.*

 

Rachael: "He said to keep running forward."

 

Luna: "There's nothin' below this mountain-like hill."

 

Destiny: "Yeup!" *She meowed for confirmation, giving the impression they already checked.*

 

*A man with fresh bloody cuts started to run up the mountain, catching the party's attention.*

 

Rachael: "Are you okay?"

 

Man: "Yeah.. I was a little put off by this Reality Marble.. The objective is to stand your ground."

 

Nathan: "From what?"

 

Man: "A swarm of Scoldrants!"

 

Rachael: "What's your name?"

 

Lezard: *He clicked his fingers and pointed at the screen, catching Karol's attention.* "Hey, it's a male version of the woman Trevour saved-"

 

Man: "Skyward." *He scratched his head, unintentionally wiping blood on his sun and star hair ornaments.*

 

Lezard: "Ooo-" *He squealed in defeat.* "Close! I was going to say Manward."

 

Karol: "Uhm?"

 

Nathan: "Are you a fighter?"

 

Skyward: *He shook his head.* "By myself, I can't.."

 

Nathan: "If we have to defend ourselves from a swarm, stand in the middle of us!"

 

Skyward: "Sure." *He quickly jogged with a limp in the middle of Rachael, Luna and Nathan.*

 

Nathan: *He continued to jog in a circle, firmly holding his grip onto the sword with anticipation.* (Where are they? What are they?)

 

Luna: "Pssht, come out already, aye!"

 

Rachael: "Piercing Land." *She raised her leg and kicked the ground, causing two boulders to erupt near her face.*

 

Luna: "Huh?"

 

Rachael: *She punched the rocks, causing them to take the shape of daggers.* "I'm ready-" *She grabbed the daggers and continued to jog around Skyward.*

 

Destiny: "Y-Yeup!" *She alerted Luna.*

 

Luna: "Gotcha-" *She suddenly raised the bow and pulled the string, firing off an arrow into the night sky.*

 

Rachael: *She looked up, staring in the direction where the arrow fired off.* "I don't see any-?"

 

?????: "Eeeeeep." *A bat-like screech could be heard, followed by an explosion of ice.*

 

Luna: "Aha-"

 

Rachael: "You got something!"

 

Skyward: "Don't underestimate them! There's too many to handle!-"

 

Nathan: "Air Slash." *He swayed the sword up into the night sky and watched four bat-like Scoldrants fall on to the ground.*

 

Rachael: "How?"

 

Skyward: "I think they have a little Astragon control! It allows them to mask their presence if they aren't attacking.." *He hopped to each side, ensuring his number wouldn't start beeping.*

 

Luna: (Destiny can sense these shits anyways, but they appear before they're going to attack-?)

 

Rachael: *She suddenly noticed a swarm of bats flapping around her, causing her to react in a karate-like manner.* "Ha!"

 

*Rachael jabbed a stone dagger into a bat and spun around kicking another onto the ground.*

 

Luna: "Pssht-" *She flicked the bow, blasting an arrow into three bats, causing her to chuckle in an impressed-like manner.*

 

Skyward: "Wow, you pierced three of them!"

 

Luna: "Pssht, I know." *She smirked and sniffed her finger in a victorious-like manner.*

 

Rachael: *She kneed a bat and leant to the side, stabbing it in the head with a dagger.* "Rock Pillar." *She punched up, causing a sharp pillar of rock to erupt behind her, jabbing into a bat.*

 

Nathan: "Double Slash." *He waved the sword to each side at incredible speeds, watching two bats slice in half.*

 

Hayward: *She watched fluoro orange blood ooze out of the bats.* "Amazing swordsmanship-"

 

Luna: *She felt the arrows in the container over her shoulder.* (Shit, I've only got five more!-)

 

Rachael: *She spun around, purposely slashing off the bat's wings, causing them to helplessly fall to the ground.* "There's still many remaining, but we got this!"

 

----------

 

*Trevour stepped forward, noticing he stood in a large desert.*

 

Trevour: *He slowly scanned across, admiring the canyon sized desert.* "Wow-"

 

?????: "Even something, without life, can be so beautiful."

 

Trevour: "Madam-?" *He turned around, staring at Twortz.* "I mean Twortz."

 

Twortz: "There were three others before you.. They voluntarily took off their numbers.. It's very hot and I couldn't see a door at all.." *She pointed behind her to a set of footsteps, leading to the highest sand hill.*

 

Trevour: "Heh heh. Lucky you got me." *He focused his attention ahead and suddenly kicked downwards, causing a pulse of sand to travel into the distance.*

 

Twortz: "What are you doing?"

 

Trevour: "I focused my Neurons and released a pulse of Astragons.. I will be able to detect anything that's on the surface."

 

Twortz: *She smirked in realisation.* "Just like a door."

 

Trevour: "Precisely, heh heh."

 

Twortz: *She noticed parts of Trevour's armour had warped, similar to burnt plastic.* "What happened to you?"

 

Trevour: "Me? Don't worry about it-" *He smiled and looked to his side, staring out into the distance.* "This will be very easy."

 

Twortz: "Have you actually found it?"

 

Trevour: "Yes. This way." *He smiled and hobbled down a large sand hill, ignoring sandy gusts of wind.*

 

Twortz: (Excellent.) *She thought to herself in relief, wiping the sweat which poured off her face.*

 

----------

 

*Rachael, Nathan, Luna and Destiny panted in exhaustion, staring at a bat covered floor.*

 

Skyward: "You all managed to take them all out." *He spoke in amazement and noticed a door spiral down from the sky, landing in front of the party.*

 

Luna: "How convenient.. Just like a bloody game, aha." *She shook her head, staring at the door with glowing frames.*

 

Destiny: "Yeup?"

 

Luna: "Like wat, are we going to enter an industrial city next? With metal bendin' creatures? Pssht." *She smirked and stepped over the bats, making her way towards the door.*

 

Rachael: *She wiped her forehead and smiled, dropping the dagger shaped rocks.* "That's what I call a workout."

 

Nathan: *He held the sword with his left hand, allowing him to stretch his right wrist.* "To our next one." *He sniffed and walked towards the door, watching Luna fade up, leaving a ripple in the air.*

 

Rachael: "Skyward?"

 

Skyward: *He nodded his head with a smile.* "Coming."

 

Lezard: "Naww. Razzypoo, our man Nathan and the new addition to the family, stepped into their third Reality Marble."

 

Karol: "What about Loona?"

 

Lezard: "She already left, you silly sausage."

 

Karol: *He giggled at the way Lezard describes his words.* "Their fird.. They've got tooh more left?"

 

Lezard: "Well, three more including the next one."

 

Karol: "Ah-"

 

Lezard: "And-" *He looked to another screen, watching Trevour and Twortz stand at another door in an empty desert.* "They've almost done too."

 

Twortz: *She stood at the door and looked behind her, staring at two sets of footprints leading into the distance.* "This was too easy."

 

Trevour: "On the contrary, Twortz. What would you have done if I couldn't detect its location?"

 

Twortz: *She smiled and nodded her head in appreciation.* "Good point."

 

Trevour: "Ladies first?" *He stepped to the side and waved Twortz to the door.*

 

Twortz: "Hmph." *She placed her hands behind her back and cupped them, walking up to the door in a professional-like manner.*

 

Trevour: *He watched Twortz's image fade upwards, leaving behind a ripple.* (I wonder what's in store for us next?) *He touched the door, causing the area to blur around him.*

 

----------

 

*Rachael stepped forward and listened to steam-like hisses and mechanical clanks.*

 

Rachael: "Huh?" *She looked up, noticing she stood deep inside a massive industrial area.*

 

Luna: "Well.. This is awkward." *She stepped forward, staring at massive metallic poles.*

 

Rachael: "It's still night."

 

Nathan: *He wiped fluoro orange blood off his sword.* "How is it that their blood glows in the dark?"

 

?????: "Probably Astragon related, sir."

 

Rachael: *She gasped with a smile.* "Trevour!"

 

Trevour: "Heh heh, hello, everyone!"

 

Luna: *She felt her arrows, causing her to frown.* (I've only got one left..)

 

Nathan: *His number started to beep, causing him to walk forward noticing a change in tone of his footsteps.* "The ground? It's metallic?"

 

Luna: "I know. You can tell by how it slightly mirrors your image."

 

Trevour: "Oh really?" *He quickly looked down, staring at a dark metallic ground.* "I can't see anything?"

 

Luna: "Me neither."

 

Nathan: "Ha ha." *He quickly hid his laughter and looked away.*

 

Trevour: "Ah, did it again, heh heh."

 

Rachael: "Hmm.." *She looked worried.*

 

Nathan: "What's wrong?"

 

Rachael: "The ground, I can't feel anything."

 

Trevour: "Yes. It's a little disorientating at first when you start to rely on the ground."

 

*Metallic footprints clinked off distance poles, catching the party's attention.*

 

Luna: *She noticed the party look at her, causing her to shrug her shoulders.* "Don't look at me. I didn't fart, aye."

 

Trevour: "No, your vision, madam."

 

Luna: "Oh-..." *She scanned the area with her sketch-like vision and noticed metallic spider Scoldrants move like crabs out of her vision.* "Aye?"

 

Rachael: "What do you see?"

 

Luna: "They were like robots."

 

Trevour: "Rhobots?"

 

Rachael: "They're like Rosterology devices that move on their own accord."

 

Nathan: (Damn. More enemies-)

 

Trevour: "Barring Lezard and Karol, looks like everyone but Twortz is here-"

 

Luna: "Twotters? Pssht." *She frowned in anger and stormed ahead, listening to her metallic footsteps.*

 

Trevour: *He looked up, staring at enormous machinery in the distance.* (Astounding-)

 

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Grey: *He focused his attention on Rachael's party, observing the scenery in a curious-like manner, causing him to touch his throat.* "What kind of area is that, Ordin? Please respond."

 

Ordin: *He touched his throat, shaking his head.* "Some Reality Marbles are actually part of the contestant's own memory."

 

Grey: "I see."

 

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